Therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and removing stasis on serum osteopontin and quality of life of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi, nourishing yin,and removing stasis on serum osteopontin(OPN) and quality of life(QOL) in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome(pSS) and to study the correlation between OPN level and the disease.Methods:Sixtyeight pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups:the treatment group(35 cases) treated by Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi,nourishing yin,and removing stasis combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet(HCQ) and the control group(33 cases) treated by HCQ only.Both were treated for 3 months. Before and after treatment,immunoglobulin G(IgG) level,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and OPN level were measured.The QOL in patients was evaluated using the Short Form-36 Health Survey(SF-36) before and after treatment.Thirty healthy females were taken as the normal control.Results:Before treatment,levels of IgG,ESR,and OPN in patients were higher than those in the normal control.After 3 months of treatment, those in both treatment groups decreased but were lower in the treatment group than those in the control group (P<0.05).The scores of 8 dimensions of SF-36 were lower in the pSS patients than those in the normal control (P<0.05) and higher in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment(P<0.05).Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the levels of OPN and the levels of IgG and ESR,and a negative correlation between OPN levels and the overall score of SF-36(P<0.05).Conclusions:Chinese herbal medicine for strengthening qi,nourishing yin,and removing stasis could alleviate pSS disease and improve the QOL.In addition,the OPN level might be used as an evaluating index for pSS disease.     

Xinfeng Capsule(新风胶囊)for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Decreased Pulmonary Function—A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective:To determine the effectiveness and safety of Xinfeng Capsules(新风胶囊,XFC) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients with decreased pulmonary function.Methods:This was a randomized controlled clinical trial of 80 RA patients.Participants were assigned to the trial group(40 cases) and the control group(40 cases) by block randomization.The trial group was treated with XFC,three pills each time three times daily for 2 months.The control group was treated with tripterygium glycoside(TPT),two pills each time three times daily for 2 months.Both groups were followed up after 2 months.The clinical effects,changes in joint and pulmonary function,and quality of life before and after treatment were observed;safety indices were also evaluated.Results:Pain,swelling,tenderness,and duration of morning stiffness of joints were obviously decreased after treatment in both the trial and the control groups compared with baseline(P0.01).Compared with before treatment,hand grip strength increased significantly after treatment in the trial group(P=0.0000);pulmonary function parameters such as forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration/forced vital capacity(FEV_1/FVC),50%of the expiratory flow of forced vital capacity(FEF_(50)),carbon monoxide diffusing capacity(DLco) were increased(P0.01 or P0.05);measures of quality of life such as role-physical,body pain,vitality and mental health were also improved after treatment in the trial group(all P0.05).Joint swelling in the trial group decreased compared with the control group(P=0.0043),while hand grip strength was increased after treatment(P=0.0000).The increase in FEF_(50),DLco,and the dimensions of quality of life such as vitality and mental health were all significantly greater in the trial group than the control group(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusions:XFC not only relieved joint pain in RA patients,but also significantly improved the ventilation and diffusion function of the lungs.Therefore,XFC could improve the whole body function and enhance the quality of life of RA patients.     

Study on effect of Yishen Capsule (益肾胶囊) in preventing recurrence of chronic glomerulonephritis

Objective:To observe the effect of Yishen Capsule (益肾胶囊,YSC) on preventing the recurrence of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and to explore its mechanism preliminarily.Methods: CGN patients were assigned to the treated group (61 cases) and the control group (48 cases) and all of them were orally administered with 4 mg of Perindopril twice a day,but 3 capsules of YSC,thrice a day, were given additionally to patients in the treated group.The therapeutic course for both groups was 18 months.The recurrence rate of CGN at the 6th,12th,and 18th month in the two groups was observed and compared,and the changes of 24-h urinary protein quantity and T-lymphocyte subsets before and after treatment were observed as well.Results:(1) Comparison of recurrence rate between the two groups showed insignificant difference at the 6th month,but it did show significant difference at the 12th and the 18th month,which was significantly decreased in the treated group than in the control group (P<0.05,P<0.01);(2) The 24-h urinary protein quantity at the 18th month decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05,P<0.01),but in the treated group was more significant (P<0.01);(3) T-lymphocyte subsets showed no obvious change in the control group after treatment (P>0.05),while in the treated group,it showed significant increase in CD3,CD4 and CD4/CD8 (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and significant decrease in CD8 (P<0.05),and also the difference after treatment in T-lymphocyte subsets between the two groups was significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:YSC has marked effects in reducing the recurrence of CGN and in decreasing urinary protein,and its mechanism might be related with its function in regulating the ratio of T-lymphocyte subsets to enhance the immunity of patients.     

Application of kushenin on patients with chronic hepatitis C after renal transplantation

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy of kushenin in treating patients with chronic hepatitis C after renal transplantation. Methods： Fifty-five patients were randomly assigned by lottery to the treatment group （29 cases） and control group （26 cases）. The same immunosuppression therapy was given to all patients in both groups. Patients in the treatment group were treated with kushenin 0.6 g once a day, while those in the control group were treated with conventional liver protective agents such as vitamins. The treatment duration of both groups was 3 months. The incidences of serious hepatitis and acute rejection reaction, serum biochemistry parameters including indicators of liver and kidney functions, hepatic fibrosis index, and serum HCV-RNA were compared between the two groups. Results： （1） The incidence of serious hepatitis in the treatment group and the control group was 3.45% （1/29 cases） and 11.54% （3/26 cases）, respectively, which was insignificantly different between the two groups （P=0.335）. （2） The incidence of acute rejection in the treatment group was 6.90% （2/29 cases） and that in the control group was 7.69% （2/26 cases）, showing insignificant difference （P=0.335）. （3） The differences in serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, direct bilirubin （DBIL）, hyaluronic acid （HA）, propeptide collagen type Ⅲ （PC Ⅲ）, laminin （LN）, collagen type Ⅳ（Col Ⅳ） levels between the two groups were insignificant before transplantation （P〉0.05）, while the above-mentioned parameters in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group after transplantation （P〈0.05）. The difference in serum creatinine （SCr） and endogenous creatinine clearance rate （CCr） between the two groups was insignificant before and after transplantation （P〉0.05）. （4） The negative conversion rate of HCV-RNA in the treatment group was 31.03% （9/29 cases）, significantly higher than the value of 11.54% （3/26 cases?     

Effect of Huanshuai Recipe Oral Liquid (缓衰口服液) on Renal Dysfunction Progression in Patients with Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis

Objective:To investigate the effect of Huanshuai Recipe Oral Liquid(缓衰口服液,HSR) on retarding the progression of renal dysfunction in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis(ARAS).Methods:A total of 52 ARAS patients with the Chinese medicine(CM) syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis,phlegm and dampness retention were recruited and randomly assigned into the treatment group(36 cases) and the control group(16 cases).Both groups received a basic treatment(high-quality low-protein diet,blood pressure control,lipid-lowering,correcting the acidosis,etc.).In addition,the treatment group received 20 mL HSR and the control group received placebo,3 times a day for 6 months.Renal function(serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen and uric acid) and blood lipids(cholesterol,triglycerides and low density lipoprotein) were examined monthly.The estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) and CM syndrome score were compared between groups.Results:After treatment,compared with the control group,the serum creatinine level,uric acid level and CM syndrome score of the treatment group were significantly decreased(P0.05 or P0.01),and the eGFR in the treatment group were significantly increased(P0.05).Conclusion:HSR can effectively improve the renal function and clinical symptoms of ARAS patients.     

Effects of Modified Qing'e Pill (加味青娥丸) on Expression of Adiponectin, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 and Coagulation-Related Factors in Patients with Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head

Objective: To observe the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine, Modified Qing'e Pill(加味青娥丸, MQEP), on the expression of adiponectin, bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2), osteoprotegerin(OPG) and other potentially relevant risk factors in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH). Methods: A total of 96 patients with nontraumatic ONFH were unequal randomly divided into treatment group(60 cases) and control group(36 cases). The treatment group were treated with MQEP while the control group were treated with simulated pills. Both groups were given caltrate D. Six months were taken as a treatment course. Patients were followed up every 2 months. The levels of plasma adiponectin, BMP2, OPG, von Willebrand factor(vWF), von Willebrand factor cleaving protease(vWF-cp), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1(PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator(tPA), C-reactive protein(CRP), blood rheology, bone mineral density(BMD) of the femoral head and Harris Hip Score were measured before and after treatment. Results: After 6 months of treatment, compared with the control group, patients in the treatment group had significantly higher adiponectin and BMP2 levels(P0.01 and P=0.013, respectively), lower vWF, PAI-1 and CRP levels(P=0.019, P0.01 and P0.01, respectively), and lower blood rheology parameters. BMD of the femoral neck, triangle area and Harris Hip Score in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Moreover, plasma adiponectin showed a positive association with BMP2(r=0.231, P=0.003) and a negative association with PAI-1(r=–0.159, P0.05). Conclusions: MQEP may play a protective role against nontraumatic ONFH by increasing the expression of adiponectin, regulating bone metabolism and improving the hypercoagulation state, which may provide an experimental base for its clinical effects.     

Effect and Safety of Tongyan Spray (通咽喷雾剂) on Hyoid Motion in Patients with Dysphagia after Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To observe the effects and safety of Tongyan Spray (通咽喷雾剂) on the range and time of hyoid motion in patients with ischemic post-stroke dysphagia. Methods: Seventy-two patients with ischemic post-stroke dysphagia were selected and randomly assigned to a treatment group (36 cases) and a control group (36 cases) by a random number table from January 2013 to October 2014. All patients swallowed 4 kinds of barium meals with different traits respectively, and each patient underwent video fluoroscopy (VF) examination twice. In the treatment group, Tongyan Spray was sprayed to the pharynx on both sides and the middle part once respectively. The spray was applied 30 min before the second examination. Purified water at room temperature was used as placebo in the control group. The changes in the range and time of hyoid motion in both groups were observed before and after treatment. Results: Six patients dropped out in each group, and 60 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Significant improvement was observed in the range of superior hyoid excursion distance and the time of hyoid motion in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no obvious adverse reactions observed in oral mucosa in both groups during the whole study. Conclusion: Tongyan Spray was an effective and safe medicine for improving swallowing function in patients with ischemic post-stroke dysphagia.     

左旋叶下珠复合物治疗52例早期乙型肝炎病毒相关肿瘤的临床疗效

Objective:To observe the change in the number of antibodies of preneoplastic hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) using early treatment by Compound Phyllanthus Urinaria L.(CPUL) on patients with preneoplastic hepatitis B virus(HBV)-associated HCC.Methods:A total of 102 cirrhosis patients with regenerative or dysplastic nodules whose sera were tested positive for at least one of these six proteins(five up-regulated genes URG4,URG7,URG11,URG12 and URG19,and one down-regulated gene DRG2) were assigned randomly to two groups using continual random codes by SPSS software.Fifty-two patients were in the treatment group and 50 patients were in the control group.CPUL was used in the treatment group for 3 years,while the control group did not receive any treatment.The changes in HBV-DNA level,number of antibodies,and hepatocarcinogenesis occurred were observed.Patients who did not develop HCC were followed up for another 2 years.Results:HBV-DNA levels decreased 2log in 22.2%(10/45) of patients in the treatment group in contrast to only 5.0%(2/40) of patients in the control group(P=0.0228).The number of antibodies that were tested positive in the treatment group(1.08± 1.01)was significantly lower compared with the control group(2.11 ±1.12) after 24 months of drug treatment(P0.01).Both the positive rates of anti-URG11(33/52) and anti-URG19(31/52) were over 60%at baseline in the two groups,and were decreased to 48.1%(25/52) and 46.2%(24/52) respectively at 36 months of drug treatment,while the rates increased to 68.0%(34/50) and 66.0%(33/50) respectively(P=0.0417,P=0.0436) in the control group.The positive rate of anti-DRG2 was increased to 55.8%(29/52) at 36 months of drug treatment,while in the control group was decreased to 36.0%(18/50,P=0.0452).Among the 102 patients who developed HCC,2 were in the treatment group and 9 were in the control group,meaning that a significant difference between the two groups(P=0.0212).In11 patients who developed HCC,anti-URG11 and anti-URG19 were always positive,while anti-DRG2 was negative.Patients newly developing HCC were 6(20.0%) in the control group,and only one(2.5%) in the treatment group(P=0.0441) during 2-year follow-up after the end of the treatment.Conclusions:Anti-URG11,anti-URG19 and antiDRG2 could be used as early markers in the prediction of the therapeutic efficacy of CPUL in treating preneoplastic HCC.CPUL is useful in preventing or delaying the development of HBV-associated cirrhosis to HCC.     

Clinical study on treatment of liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B patients with Ginkgo leaf

Objective: To study the anti-liver fibrosis effect of Ginkgo leaf in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods: Eighty-six patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups with similar general condition. The 42 patients in the treated group were treated with Ginkgo leaf tablet (GLT), and the 44 patients in the control group were treated with Yiganling tablet (益肝灵片). The treatment was conducted for 3 successive months in both groups. Changes in the histo-pathology of liver, serum levels of platelet activating factor (PAF), hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen type Ⅳ (C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN) and pro-collagen peptide type Ⅲ (PCⅢ)were observed before and after treatment. Results: The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in the treated group were 45.1% and 76.2% respectively, while in the control group the corresponding rates were 18.2% and 43.2%. Comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P<0.01). Serum levels of PAF, HA, C-Ⅳ, LN and PCⅢ were lowered significantly in the treated group after treatment. Compared with the corresponding parameters in the control group after treatment, the differences were all significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The pathological examination of liver showed improvement in both groups, the inflammation grade lowered in 10 patients (55.6%) of the treated group and in 5 patients (35.7%) of the control group, insignificant difference was shown between them. But in comparing the fibrosis staging lowering patients between the two groups, 12 patients (66.7%) vs 3 patients (21.4%), the difference was significant (P<0.05). Moreover, there were 4 patients in the control group with their fibrosis aggravated, while in the treated group, none was aggravated (P<0.05).Conclusion: Ginkgo leaf tablet has some liver protective and anti-liver fibrosis benefits.     

Clinical observation on the treatment of chronic urticaria with total glucosides of paeony capsule combined with citirizine

<正>Objective:To assess the effect and adverse reaction of total glucosides of paeony capsule(TGPC)in combining with citirizine for the treatment of chronic urticaria.Methods:A total of 120 patients were assigned to two groups by lottery,65 in the treated group and 55 in the control group.They all were orally treated with citirizine tablet 10 mg per day,but to the treated group,additional 0.2 g TGPC was given three times per day,the therapeutic course for both groups was 4 weeks.The effectiveness of treatment was observed,and the changes of total symptom score,serum levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),and immunoglobulin E(IgE)were measured before and after treatment.Moreover,a followup was carried out one month after ending the treatment.Results:The dropped cases were two in the treated group and seven in the control group;so,the study was accomplished on 63 patients in the treated group and 48 patients in the control group.The total effective rate was assessed at 73.02%(46/63)in the treated group,which was significantly higher than 47.92%(23/48)in the control group(P0.01).After treatment,the total symptom score decreased in both groups,but the decrement in the treated group was more significant(P0.05).Serum levels of IL-4 and IgE in the treated group lowered significantly,while the changes in the control group were insignificant,so statistical significant differences were shown between groups(P0.01).A follow-up study showed that the relapse rate in the treated group was 30.00% (6/20),while that in the control group was 90.00%(9/10),and the former was lower than the latter(P0.01).Adverse reactions,revealed as drowsiness,dizziness,and weakness,were seen in eight cases and seven cases in the two groups,respectively.Besides,mild diarrhea occurred in two cases of the treated group.Condusioiis:The treatment of TGPC combining citirizine shows definite curative effect in treating chronic urticaria,with low relapse rate and without evident adverse reaction.Its therapeutic effect might be realized by means of regulating patients' immune function. Besides,the medication should be continued for a rather long period to achieve the full effect.     

A randomized controlled trial comparing total glucosides of paeony capsule and compound glycyrrhizin tablet for alopecia areata

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony capsule(TGPC)in patients with mild and moderate alopecia areata.Methods:A total of 86 outpatients were randomly allocated into two groups of TGPC(treatment,44 cases)and compound glycyrrhizin tablet(control,42 cases).The treatment group was given oral TGPC,three times daily and 600 mg per time;the control group was given oral compound glycyrrhizin tablets,three times daily and 50 mg per time.In addition,both groups were given 10 mg of vitamin B2 and tapped the bold patches with massage.The treatment course was three months for both groups.Peripheral blood T-cell subsets(CD3~+CD4~+,CD3~+CD8~+,Th,Ts,Th/Ts)of 10 patients randomly selected from each group respectively were tested before and after three months of treatment.The effectiveness and adverse reaction of all cases were observed each month.The safety was evaluated according to the incidence rate of adverse reaction. Results:In the treatment group,the cured and markedly effective rate was 36.36%(16/44),50.00%(22/44)and 68.18%(30/44)at the end of first,second and third month of treatment,respectively,and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 13.64%(6/44).In the control group,the cured and markedly effective rate was 38.10% (16/42),57.14%(24/42)and 71.43%(30/42),respectively,and the incidence rate of adverse reaction was 16.67%(7/42).The cured and markedly effective rate and the incidence rate of adverse reaction were similar in both groups(P>0.05).TGPC and compound glycyrrhizin tablet can inhibit CD3~+CD4~+ and CD3~+CD8~+,and decrease the ratio of Th/Ts(P<0.05).Conclusion:TGPC is effective and safe in the treatment of alopecia areata.     

The Therapeutic Effect of Xiaopi-Ⅰ(消痞Ⅰ号) on Functional Dyspepsia

Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of Xiaopi-Ⅰ(消痞Ⅰ号) on functional dyspepsia and its effects on gastric emptying. Methods: A total of 134 patients with functional dyspepsia were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The patients in the Xiaopi-Ⅰ group (66 cases) and the Domperidone group (68 cases) were given Xiaopi-Ⅰ granules and Domperidone 10 mg, 3 times a day, respectively. Another 20 healthy volunteers were chosen as the negative control group. The severity scores of the symptoms, as well as the gastric emptying, were detected before and after 4-week treatment by barium strip-trial meal. Results: During therapy, 6 cases from the Xiaopi-Ⅰ group and 8 cases from the Domperidone group were lost to follow, and 120 cases finally finished the study. Statistical differences were observed from both groups in terms of the symptoms of postprandial fullness early satiety, epigastric pain, and epigastric burning after 4-week treatment (P<0.01). The symptomatic severity scores of the Xiaopi-Ⅰ group before and after the treatment were 7.48±1.64 and 2.16±1.26, respectively (P<0.01). Gastric emptying rates were also improved in the patients with delayed gastric emptying, and the effective rates were 91.3% and 75.8% in the Xiaopi-Ⅰ and Domperidone groups, respectively. No obvious adverse effects were found from both groups. Conclusion: Xiaopi-Ⅰ was an effective and safe agent in the treatment of functional dyspepsia and was worth of further development in clinical.     

Clinical Observation of Shuanghuang Shengbai Granule(双黄升白颗粒) on Prevention and Treatment of Myelosuppression Caused by Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients

Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of Shuanghuang Shengbai Granule(双黄升白颗粒, SSG), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on myelosuppression of cancer patients caused by chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 330 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group(220 cases, analysed 209 cases) and the control group(110 cases, analysed 102 cases) with a 2:1 ratio by envelope method. The patients in the treatment group at the first day of chemotherapy started to take SSG for 14 days, while the patients in the control group took Leucogon Tablets. The changes of the blood routine, clinical symptoms and immune function in both groups were observed for safety and efficacy evaluation. Results: At the 7th day of chemotherapy, the white blood cells(WBCs) level in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P0.05). After treatment, the WBCs rate in the normal range accounted for 50.2% in the treatment group, the myelosuppression of WBCs and neutrophil were mainly grade Ⅰ, while 8.1% and 5.7% of patients emerged grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ myelosuppression, respectively. The incidence of myelosuppression of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P0.05). The total effective rate of Chinese medicine syndrome in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(84.2% vs. 72.5%, P0.05). The immune cell levels in both groups were maintained in the normal range. Compared with that before treatment, the levels of CD3~+ and CD4~+ cells were significantly increased in the treatment group after treatment(P0.05). The discrepancy of CD3~+ and CD4~+ cell activity before and after treatment in both groups were significantly different(P0.05). No obvious adverse event occurred in both groups. Conclusion: SSG had a protection effect on bone marrow suppression, and alleviated the clinical symptoms together with clinical safety.     

Correlation between podocyte excretion and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy patients

Objective： To observe the podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy （DN） patients by identifying the urinary podocytes and the situation of detached podocytes in glomeruli and to demonstrate the correlation between podocyte excretion and proteinuria, blood glucose, serum creatinine in different phases in DN patients. Methods： Urinary podocytes and the podocalyxin （PCX） expression state of podocytes in glomeruli were identified and observed by indirect immunofluorescent method. The DN patients were divided into three groups according to the volume of proteinuria, namely small, medium and large volume proteinuria groups. The podocytes in the urine of every group were calculated. The DN patients were divided into five groups according to the chronic kidney disease （CKD） phases, then the positive podocytes in urine were calculated. Meanwhile, the 24-hour protein in urine, fasting blood glucose （FBG） and the serum creatinine of DN patients were tested. The correlations among the proteinuria, serum creatinine, FBG and the number of positive podocytes in the urine of DN patients were statistically analyzed. Results： Urinary positive podocytes were found in 88% of the patients with DN, whereas podocytes were found in 0% of patients with minimal changed disease （MCD） and healthy cases. The expression of PCX was absent in DN patients. In contrast, PCX was expressed integrally in MCD patients. The positive podocytes was 1.49±0.95/ml in small-volume proteinuria group, 2.15±0.70/ml in the medium-volume proteinuria group, and 3.48±1.27/ml in the large-volume proteinuria group. There was no significant difference between the small- and medium- volume proteinuria groups, and there were significant differences between other groups （P〈0.05）. The positive podocyte number tended to increase as proteinuria was increased. By Pearson analysis, the correlation between podocyte number and proteinuria was podocytes in urine from different groups of DN patients, CKD pc I sitive statistically. The difference of the number of positive -V group was significant statistically. The correlation between serum creatinine of CKD Ⅰ -Ⅲ group and positive podocytes in urine was positive statistically. The correlation between serumcreatinine of CKD Ⅳ- Ⅴ group and positive podocytes in urine was not significant statistically. The correlation between FBG and positive podocytes in urine was not significant either. Conclusion： The mechanism of the podocyte injury in DN patients is present. The podocyte injury in DN may positively correlate to proteinuria and serum creatinine of CKD Ⅰ -ⅢDN patients, but not to the FBG and serum creatinine of CKD Ⅳ-Ⅴ patients.     

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Nourishing Yin, Supplementing Qi, and Activating Blood on Reproductive Endocrine Activity and Immune Functions in Patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the effect of Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin,supplementing qi,and activating blood on the reproductive endocrine-immune network and its mechanisms in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome(pSS).Methods:Seventy pSS patients were randomly assigned to two groups using a randomized digital table:the integrative therapy group(36 cases) and the control group(34 cases).Thirty healthy subjects were taken as a normal group.The control group was treated with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets alone,and the integrative therapy group was treated by Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin,supplementing qi,and activating blood combined with hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets.The treatment course was 6 months for both groups.Before and after treatment,serum estradiol(E2),testosterone(T),luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin(PRL) by radioimmunoassay and immunoglobulin(IgG) by immunodiffusion,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) by Westergren,interferon-γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin-4(IL-4) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were determined.Results:E2 and T levels in all patients were lower than those of normal subjects before treatment(P0.05) and were increased significantly after 6-month treatment(P0.05).ESR,FSH,LH,IgG,IFN-γ,IL- 4 and ratios of E2/T,and IFN- 7/IL in the patients were higher than those of normal subjects before the treatments(P0.05),and were reduced significantly after the treatments(P0.05).The T and IFN-γ levels and E2/T ratio in the patients treated with integrative therapy were reduced significantly compared with the control group(P0.05).However,the PRL levels before and after treatment were not significantly changed in the two groups(P0.05).The ratios of E2/T and IFN-γ/IL-4,and levels of IgG and ESR were positively correlated before and after treatment(P0.05).Conclusions:The ratios of E2/T and IFN- γ /IL-4 might be used as indicators of pSS activity.Chinese herbal medicines for nourishing yin,supplementing qi,and activating blood combined with Western medicine could improve the therapeutic effect by regulating the reproductive endocrine-immune network in pSS patients.     

Tiaobu Xinshen Recipe (调补心肾方) Improved Mild Cognitive Impairment of Alzheimer's Disease Patients with Xin (Heart) and Shen (Kidney) Deficiency

Objective: To observe the intervention effects of Tiaobu Xinshen Recipe(调补心肾方, TXR) on patients with mild cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease(MCI-AD). Methods: Totally 88 MCI-AD patients with syndrome of Xin(Heart) and Shen(Kidney) deficiency were assigned to the experimental group(47 cases, treated with TXR) and the control group(41 cases, treated with donepezil hydrochloride) using a random number table. Final recruited qualified patients were 44 cases in the experimental group and 39 cases in the control group. The therapeutic course was 12 weeks. Neuropsychological scales [mini mental state examination(MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)], and Chinese medicine(CM) dementia syndromes scales were performed in all patients, and results were compared between groups or intra-group before and after treatment. Results: MMSE and Mo CA scores of the two groups were increased after treatment compared with those before treatment(P0.05). But there was no statistical difference in MMSE or MOCA scores after treatment between the two groups(P0.05). CM dementia syndrome score was significantly decreased after treatment in the experimental group compared with the control group(P0.01). Visual spatial and executive function scores and delayed recall scores of the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P0.01). Conclusion: TXR could effectively improve cognitive impairment of MCI-AD patients with syndrome of Xin and Shen deficiency.     

Clinical Study on Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture on Behcet''''s Disease

Forty-six cases of Behcet's disease were randomly divided into two groups. The 26 cases in the treatmentgroup were treated by acupuncture and the 20 cases in the control group with the drugs. The level ofL-chain () of IgM and the level of the trace element Zn were determined before and after treatment inthe treatment group. The results showed that the recurrence rate in the treatment group was significantlylower than that in the control group (P<0.01), and the differences in the level of L-chain () of IgM andlevel of Zn in the treatment group before and after treatment were very significant (P<0.01). These twoindexes tended to become normal after treatment.     

Clinical Research on Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion in treating chronic atrophic gastritis. Methods: Patients who met the criteria were randomly divided into the treatment groups consisting of the acupuncture group (30 cases) and the acupuncture-moxibustion group (30 cases), and the control group (28 cases). After two months of treatment, observed were safety and the curative effects, through general physical check ups, routine examinations of blood, urine and feces, and symptoms, pathology and gastrin before, during and after the treatment. Results: 1) The treatment groups showed significant superiorities in the improvement of symptoms, with the acupuncture-moxibustion group showing the best therapeutic effects. 2) The acupuncture-moxibustion group showed marked differences before and after the treatment in the improvement of glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, with a total effective rate of 66.67%. 3) After the treatment, the three groups all showed marked improvement in the level of serum gastrin, with the acupuncture-moxibustion group showing the best effects. Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion have definite therapeutic effects for chronic atrophic gastritis, especially in improving the symptoms. Acupuncture or acupuncture combined with moxibustion can provide possibilities in reversing the pathologic changes of glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia for patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. Acupuncture-moxibustion is really an effective and safe therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis.     

Clinical Observation on Treatment of Ischemic Apoplexy by Electroacupuncture plus Acupoint-Injection

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture plus acupoint-injection for ischemic apoplexy. Method: 78 cases of ischemic apoplexy were randomly divided into a treatment group of 39 cases treated by electroacupuncture plus acupoint-injection and a control group of 39 cases treated by electroacupuncture alone. Results: The neural functional defect score (NFDS) decreased while the functional independence mark (FIM) increased with obvious significant differences before and after treatment in both of the two groups. And there were very remarkable differences between the two groups in the changes of both NFDS and FIM after treatment (P<0.01), showing better results in the treatment group than that of the control group. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture plus acupoint-injection can promote the recovery of the neural function for the ischemic apoplexy patients and markedly enhance their daily living ability, with better effects than that in patients treated by electroacupuncture alone.     

Study of Tripterygium Associated with Nicotinamide in Treating Late-onset Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus in Adults

Objective: To explore the effect of Tripterygium polyglycoside (TP) associated with nicotinamide on the islet cell function, immune parameters and lipoperoxide (LPO) in adult patients with late-onset autoimmune diabetes mellitus (LADA). Methods: Thirty-six cases of LADA were randomly divided into three groups: TP group (n=12), treated with TP plus orally taken metformin; combined treatment group (n= 12), treated with TP combined with nicotinamide and metformin, and control group (n=12) treated with metformin alone. They were followed-up for 18 months. Results: (1) Compared with the control group after 9 months of treatment, postprandial plasma glucose and LPO in combined treatment group were decreased (P <0.05), and the postprandial C-peptide was higher (P<0.05). At the 18th month, the value of postprandial C-peptide in the TP and combined treatment group was higher than that in the control group. The slL-2R level of both TP and combined treatment groups were lowered (P<0.01); (2) Islet cell antibody (IC